Seoul says cooperation with NATO aimed at global peace, seeks stable relations with Russia (Yonhap)
July 21, 2026
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260721007351315
ROK’s foreign ministry issued a statement characterizing ROK’s relationship with NATO as transactional and promising to stably manage the relationship with Russia.
If ROK wants to become a preferred partner with NATO, this isn’t the way to do it. Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014 and undertaking of unrestrained hostilities against Ukraine in 2022 resuscitated NATO’s raison d’être. ROK will likely be able to grow its defence export business with many NATO countries, but it will not be a preferred partner if it continues to try to sit on the fence about Russia. Hanwha Ocean needs to consider its interest in further business with Russia as it reviews its failed bid for Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project.
ROK has been very successful in navigating the diplomatic climate until now, but China’s undeclared economic warfare against it in 2016 should have provided notice that the game has changed. Russia’s invasion of 2022 could not have provided a more clear declaration that the 21st century would not replicate the post-WWII security environment.
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